"Economical" solution for Salamina Submerged Tunnel in Athens preferred

Interesting developments have arisen, regarding the concession tender for Salamina-Perama submerged road tunnel, ypodomes.com reports.

According to the platform's sources, the Environmental Impact Study is currently being prepared on the basis of the solution that has been preferred by the competitive dialogue process.

This solution, as pointed out by the same sources, is the least expensive as it ensures the minimization of the motorway length on both sides of the tunnel, which will be finally based on the seabed (and not under it). Another interesting feature of the tunnel is that it will not have the classic cylindrical shape but will be square, instead. Essentially, it will be a "box" in which there will be 2 traffic lanes per direction, which will be separated by a cement shear wall. The length of the submerged tunnel will not be exceeding 400 m. but along with its accesses it will be about 1,100 m.

The tunnel's entrance from the side of Perama will be close to the area of the swimming pool facilities (where a new interchange will be constructed) while from the side of Salamina island the access will be constructed between the islet of Aghios Georgios and the entrance of the Shipyard (on right side of the Ferry Terminal). In order for the vehicles to have a smooth access, the existing road axis will be widened and will be connected to the islands road network.

It should be noted that it will be the first road connection of an island with the mainland in the whole Mediterranean Sea. The cost is estimated between 350-400m euros. The tender provides for compensatory benefits for the Municipalities of Perama and Salamina.

The next steps

The next steps of the tender include the submission and approval of the Environmental Impact Study, carried out by Attica Region and the Environment and Energy Ministry, after which there will be a date for the submission of the binding offers that will finally lead to the contract awards.

Based on the most optimistic projections, these procedures are not expected to be completed before Autumn, while in order to get to the signing of the concession contract we are going to have to wait for at least one more year, without counting in possible legal setbacks.

The three contenders for the major infrastructure project of Attica are: METKA, TERNA and J/V VINCI CONCESSIONS-VINCI HIGHWAYS-AKTOR CONCESSIONS.

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Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Panagiotis Botsis